Clemson vs. Wake Forest Betting: Can the Demon Deacons pull the upset at home?

After being knocked from their perch atop the Atlantic Division and the ACC last season, Clemson is widely expected to return to the top of the conference and to the College Football Playoff this season.

So far, so good, as they have won their first three games, including their ACC opener against Georgia Tech to begin the season.

But whether or not they will reign again may be decided in the next two weeks. First up is this week’s visit to Wake Forest, followed by next week’s visit from North Carolina State. Both teams are 3-0 and ranked, and they have ACC title aspirations of their own.

The Demon Deacons survived a scare from Liberty this past Saturday and will have to play a much cleaner game to upset the Tigers on Saturday.

But they have one of the best quarterbacks in the country in Sam Hartman, while there are still questions yet to be answered about just what Clemson has–or doesn’t have-in D.J. Uiagalelei.

Clemson Tigers vs. Wake Forest Demon Deacons Matchup Information and Betting Odds

Matchup Information

• #5 Clemson Tigers (3-0, 1-0 ACC) vs. #21 AP/#16 CP Wake Forest Demon Deacons (3-0, 0-0 ACC)
• Venue & Location: Truist Field at Wake Forest (Winston-Salem, North Carolina)
• Date: Saturday, September 24, 2022
• Game Time: 12:00 p.m. Eastern Time
• How to Watch Clemson vs. Wake Forest: ABC

Clemson vs. Wake Forest Odds

Game odds are via BetOnline. Odds are from our other recommended legal sports betting sites may also appear in this article.

Spread

• Clemson -7.5 (-105)
• Wake Forest +7.5 (-115)

Over/Under

• Over 56.5 (-105)
• Under 56.5 (-115)

Moneyline

• Clemson -285
• Wake Forest +230

Clemson vs. Wake Forest Prediction and Betting Picks

Clemson vs. Wake Forest Prediction: Clemson 34, Wake Forest 24

Clemson vs. Wake Forest Spread and Over/Under Picks: Clemson -7 (Best Value: -115 at Bovada Sportsbook & BetMGM) & Clemson/Wake Forest over 56.5 (Best Value: -105 at BetOnline)

Clemson has won by 31, 23, and 28 to start the season, but have they really been impressive? Not so much, at least not relative to others also occupying lofty rankings.

If the Tigers are to challenge for a national championship, Uiagalelei and the offense are going to eventually have to find another level.

But do they have that level? That is still very much up for debate.

Uiagalelei is averaging more yards per attempt thus far this season (7.5 yards per attempt) than last year (6.0), but he completed under 60 percent of his passes against both of their FBS opponents.

Game-by-Game Numbers for D.J. Uiagalelei in 2022

• Georgia Tech: 19 of 32 (59.4%), 210 yards (6.6 YPA), TD (13 carries, 19 yards, TD)
• Furman: 21 of 27 (77.8%), 231 yards (8.6 YPA), 2 TD, INT (5 carries, 36 yards)
• Louisiana Tech: 17 of 29 (58.6%), 221 yards (7.9 YPA), 2 TD (9 carries, 62 yards)

While I am by no means convinced by their offense, Clemson brings more to the table on the ground than Wake Forest. Uiagalelei offers a running threat, and Will Shipley has run for 249 yards and six touchdowns thus far.

In Saturday’s 37-36 win over Liberty, the Demon Deacons averaged under one yard per carry. As good as Hartman often is, mistakes can be a concern, and not being able to generate anything on the ground is asking for trouble.

Game-by-Game Rushing Numbers for Wake Forest

• VMI: 41 attempts, 212 yards (5.2 YPA)
• Vanderbilt: 40 attempts, 151 yards (3.8 YPA)
• Liberty: 31 attempts, 36 yards (1.2 YPA)

The Tigers are also more likely to make key stops than the Demon Deacons are. A failed two-point conversion with a little over a minute left may have been what extinguished the Flames, but they outgained Wake Forest by a significant margin and really did themselves in with four turnovers–two in Wake territory–and a missed field goal.

Sealed the deal ? pic.twitter.com/2v6grrtjAL

— Wake Forest Football (@WakeFB) September 18, 2022

I do think that Wake Forest will be able to put some points on the board against Clemson, and I don’t necessarily think that this will be some sort of breakout performance for Uiagalelei, even though Wake’s defense is not outstanding.

But in the end, I expect the Tigers to make more plays on both sides of the ball to snuff out the upset bid.

Last year, both teams turned the ball over three times, but Wake Forest failed to turn any of their takeaways to points, while Clemson turned two takeaways into two touchdowns in the third quarter to help break a 17-10 game wide open. And while Clemson’s offense racked up 333 yards on the ground, their defense held Wake Forest to just 36 rushing yards.

I don’t think the margin of victory will be as big this time around, but the Tigers will win by more than a score. There may well be some significant line movement in the coming days, but I feel very comfortable locking in the -7 and over 56.5.